The Beer Bar

From Thai PBS World Rebel forces have captured seven army camps and a government command centre in Myawaddy province of Myanmar, after about four days of fierce fighting, according to rebel sources. Myanmar jet fighters carried out bombing raids against the rebels of the Karen National Union (KNU) and People’s Defence Force (PDF), but failed to stop their advance, said the sources, adding that the rebels had seized large cache of weapons, including howitzers, mortars, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, hundreds of assault rifles and ammunition left behind by the retreating government troops. Rebel sources claim hundreds of Myanmar troops of t…

From The Nation His Majesty the King’s second-oldest son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, headed back to New York on Monday after his two week trip in Thailand. Vacharaesorn posted photos of himself and his followers at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan province with the message, “See you again #ThailandI❤️you #ileaveonlytoreturn". A bit later, Bangkok Post reporter Wassana Nanuam posted a short video clip on her Facebook bidding farewell to Vacharaesorn with the message, “Till we meet again”. Wassana hopes the King’s son makes a third visit to the kingdom. Vacharaesorn, 42, who works as a lawyer in New York, trav…

I saw this guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race today. I thought he was rather handsome, but had never heard of him, so I looked him up on Wikipedia. I was really wowed. I'm guessing some of you have heard of him, Ronan Farrow. I mean this man sounds perfect, at least on paper: "...As a child, Farrow skipped grades in school and took courses with the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University. At age 11, he began his studies at Bard College at Simon's Rock, later transferring to Bard College for a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. He graduated at age 15, the youngest to do so at that institution. He entered Yale Law School, from which he received a Juris …

From Thai PBS World Former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat bade farewell to parliament last night, saying that this debate may be the last of his political career, before the party is dissolved by the Constitutional Court. Making his closing speech at the end of the two-day general debate against the government, Pita, currently advisory chairman to the Move Forward party leader, talked about the party’s victory in the May 14 general election while missing out on the formation of the government. He gave his assessment of the poor performance of the Pheu Thai-led administration over the past seven months, ranging from its failure to carry out the …

Haven't had a feel good story for awhile until this account of a whale rescue made the news today. From The Thaiger Patong Beach in Phuket yesterday was the scene of a thrilling rescue operation as lifeguards hastened to save a melon-headed whale, a protected marine species in Thailand, that had been cast ashore. The event drew the attention of numerous tourists, who flocked around the site, cheering on the lifeguards during their daring rescue mission. The marine mammal, also known less frequently as the electra dolphin, little killer whale, or many-toothed blackfish, is a member of the oceanic dolphin family characterised by its unique head shape. Measur…

From The Thaiger The fight against marine waste has taken a monumental step in Thailand with the official launch of the InterceptorTM 019, a solar-powered and fully automated device dedicated to capturing waste. This milestone is the result of joint efforts by The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch non-profit environmental engineering organisation, and its first global implementation partner, The Coca-Cola Company, along with a host of local partners in Thailand. The InterceptorTM 019 was set afloat on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok on March 26, 2024. The device is a beacon of hope in curbing marine pollution in Thailand and the wider region. Capturing waste from th…

From The Thaiger The Thai government, under the directive of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is preparing to implement a 7% value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at 1 baht and above, starting in May. Currently, goods sold for less than 1,500 baht (US$40) per parcel and imported into Thailand are exempt from VAT. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced these plans after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, asserting the new VAT collection is a move towards fairness for Thai small businesses. “VAT collection is to ensure fairness for small businesses in Thailand, as both foreign and domestic operators will have to pay taxes at the same rate.” …

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon More than three months after “assessable” foreign income became taxable, many of Thailand’s expats are still swimming in a sea of uncertainty. Lots of advice online, but few definite answers. Senior officers from the Revenue have said little of late, although there has been a half-promise to the Swiss ambassador in a televised interview to print the tax identification forms in English as well as in Thai. There is a view amongst some Thai lawyers that we must wait until July for clarification on nitty-gritty issues such as double taxation treaties and the tax status of pensions. By that time, some expats will have passed 180…

From Thai News Agency Deputy national police chief Pol.Gen. Surachate Hakparn also known as “Big Joke” on Tuesday surrendered himself in a money laundering case and was released on bail. Pol. Gen. Surachate acknowledged money laundering charges at the Tao Poon Police Station after a court issued an arrest warrant for him. He briefly spoke to the media, stating that he has entered the judicial process today and does not feel anxious about being dismissed from his official duties. He is currently in the stage of being accused, therefore he still considers himself innocent, he said. The arrest warrant was issued after he failed to answer three summo…

I've seen many prime ministers come and go but none has put tourism at the center of his agenda as has Srettha Thavisin. Last week he disclosed his strategy to build on those plans with a number of approaches. Although most are not particularly new, one--an ASEAN pass program--earned my attention. Unfortunately, he doesn't really flush out how it would function or whether any other SE Asian countries are on boar with the idea. Nevertheless I give him high marks for trying. ================== From Tourism Authority of Thailand Prime Minister Srettha reiterated the government’s commitment to boosting Thailand as a tourism hub to drive the economy and bring pr…

I've long had the hots for Justin Trudeau, but I was wowed when I just saw a photo of the President of the Bolivian Senate, Andrónico Rodríguez Ledezma. He's a socialist political leader and cocaine proponent.

From The Thaiger Passenger service charges (PSC) at six major Thai airports have seen an increase, as announced by the Airports of Thailand Plc. The charges, applicable on both domestic and international departing flights, have been raised at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Don Mueang, Hat Yai, Phuket and Suvarnabhumi airports. For international flights, the fees have been increased from 700 to 730 baht, while for domestic flights, a rise from 100 to 130 baht has been implemented. AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat announced the change today, April 1, explaining that the increase in the service charge would cover the cost of AOT’s Common Use Passenger Processing Syste…

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/chance-perdomo-actor-gen-v-dies-27/story?id=108691062 "Chance Perdomo, star of "Gen V," has died after a motorcycle accident, his family and representatives announced. The actor was 27 years old. No other individuals were involved in the accident, according to the statement, released Saturday...". 😭

A female kidnapping suspect was dragged out of a police vehicle and murdered on Good Friday. Just like Jesus would have done... 🙄 https://ca.news.yahoo.com/mob-mexico-brutally-beats-suspected-004119620.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGZIABlplDYESXaq89rFYV4lkDptKUU62rpiCXWFtrhVh4ngfzYweADMVba-dxj75fbcN4JWQ-BkpPlvPTZLMvJQb-O9bWHlxJzDYkoX8BAyjnYljanszVZDnx66Ltu51pdhWq1tf0rrCayVwVVF3PJioGtLdObGQceq39f22rAd

From Pattaya Mail A construction crane collapsed at a factory site on Mar 29 in Pluak Daeng district, Rayong Province, resulting in the deaths of seven Myanmar workers and leaving many others injured. The incident occurred at a steel smelting plant currently under construction, boasting a workforce of about 3,000 and a registered capital of 6 billion baht. Following the tragedy, a tense standoff ensued between the workers’ relatives and the factory management over compensation demands. The situation between the two sides reportedly escalated as the bereaved families and co-workers of the deceased workers prevented rescue teams from accessing the site to retrieve…

Why just 4-star hotels? From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Wage Committee decided today to increase minimum wages to 400 baht for employees working in 4-star hotels which have at least 50 employees, located in specific areas in 10 provinces, effective from April 13th. The specific areas are: Bangkok: Only for hotels located in Pathumwan and Wattana districts. Krabi province: Only in areas under the jurisdiction of Ao Nang Tambon Administrative Organisation. Chon Buri province: Only in Pattaya City. Chiang Mai: Only in Chiang Mai municipal area. Prachuap Khiri Khan: only in Hua Hin municipal area. Ph…

NOTE -- The defendants were popularly known as "yellow shirts" at the time. From Thai PBS World The Criminal Court ordered the acquittal today of 67 members of the now defunct political pressure group known as the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), after finding them not guilty on multiple charges related to the seizure of Don Mueang airport, from November 24 until December 3, 2008, in an attempt to force the resignation of then Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. The charges included terrorism, incitement of public unrest, illegal seizure of an airport, intimidation of officials, assault, resisting arrest and tampering with satellite communications equip…

Last night I went to see the Gay Men's Chorus here in LA with a fairly large group of friends (12). As the chorus were singing, there was an American Sign Language interpreter on the side of the stage interpreting the words being sung. We were in the balcony, and the group tickets were $65 a pop with a group discount. I can't imagine a deaf man would ever buy tickets to a chorus performance, and I would consider offering a ticket to a deaf friend as insensitive--and downright insulting. Am I missing something, or is having an ASL translator at a chorus rather nutty?

From The Thaiger Former Thai politician Jakrapob Pemkair returned to Thailand after 15 years of political asylum in Cambodia. Upon his return, he was apprehended due to two remaining arrest warrants but was later granted 400,000 baht bail. Jakrapob previously served as a government spokesperson under former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from 2003 to 2005, and later as a minister of the Office of the Prime Minister during Samak Sundaravej’s government between 2007 and 2008. Jakrapob faced accusations of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Law, also known as the lese majeste law, after delivering a speech in English criticising the culture of patro…

From Thailand News Agency Airports of Thailand plc (AOT) opens for Grab taxi service at Suvarnabhumi Airport to provide passengers with convenient, fast and safe public transportation services connecting Thailand’s main airport. AOT president Kerati Kijmanawat on Thursday inaugurated the Grab Service Center at the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport to provide information services and pick-up/drop-off points for passengers using public taxi services via the Grab Application. Users can request taxis anywhere within Suvarnabhumi Airport but must use the pick-up/drop-off service on the first floor of passenger terminal, Gate 4, which operates 24 hours a…

From Thai PBS World After a wide ranging debate, the lower House has approved a study into the establishment of an “integrated entertainment complex”, which would include the first legalised casinos in the country. Two hundred fifty-three MPs voted in support of the study. There were two abstentions and two MPs declined to cast their votes. Opposition MPs apparently chose to leave the chamber. Move Forward MPs voiced support for an integrated entertainment complex to generate revenue for the state, revenues from which can be used for public benefit, but recommended that further study should be conducted on the long-term impacts, especially addiction to gamb…

If a guy cums inside a bottoms ass & starts again without pulling out, does it have a name?

NOTE -- This article begs the question: why is the cop still a member of the force (see final paragraph)? From The Nation The Civil Court has ordered a police officer to pay 27.3 million baht to the parents of an eye doctor he hit and killed at a Bangkok zebra crossing in 2022. The court ruled that Police Lance Corporal Norawich Buadok was solely responsible for the death of Dr Waraluck Supawatjariyakul, as it dismissed the lawsuit against the Royal Thai Police (RTP) as an entity. The late doctor’s parents filed a lawsuit against the RTP and the cop for 72 mill…

From Pattaya News At 3:00 PM, on March 25th, 2024, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the deputy police commander, performed an inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport regarding Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s orders to improve the service quality and time. Upon the inspection, Suvarnabhumi immigration officers were found to have reduced average passport control time on arrival from 45 seconds to 30 seconds as the scan boarding pass processing was excluded. Moreover, automatic channels on departure were updated with new versions and improved technology and performance, reducing average time of processing from 40 seconds to 20 seconds, according to Thai national…

From The Nation Immigration police have warned the public not to believe internet posts that offer a fast track through immigration at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in exchange for a fee. Police spokesman Maj Gen Cherngron Rimpadee said on Thursday that officials are investigating the “richcarsbangkok” Facebook page, which promises access to Immigration fast-track lanes for both incoming and outgoing travellers. Posted in English, the advert reads: “Fast Track Arrival - Departure 2,900 Baht/flight”. It also contains instructions on how to use the service to supposedly bypass immigration counters at Bang…